The Gates of Europe: A History of Ukraine by Serhii Plokhy is a comprehensive and detailed account of the history of Ukraine, from its prehistoric origins to the present day. The book covers a wide range of topics, including the country’s early history, the rise and fall of the Kievan Rus’, the Mongol invasions, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Cossack era, the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union, and the independent Ukraine of today. Throughout the book, Plokhy provides a detailed analysis of the various political, social, economic, and cultural factors that have shaped Ukraine’s history, and he also offers insights into the country’s ongoing struggles with corruption, poverty, and political instability.
Chapter 1: The Land and the People
The first chapter of The Gates of Europe provides a brief overview of Ukraine’s geography, climate, and natural resources, as well as its early history and the origins of its people. Plokhy explains how the country’s location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia made it a valuable trade hub, and how its diverse population of Slavs, Tatars, Jews, and other groups contributed to its rich cultural heritage. He also discusses the impact of the Mongol invasions in the 13th century, which devastated the country and left a lasting mark on its history.
Chapter 2: The Rise and Fall of the Kievan Rus’
The second chapter of the book focuses on the rise and fall of the Kievan Rus’, the first East Slavic state that emerged in the 9th century and which would eventually become the basis for modern Ukraine. Plokhy provides a detailed account of the Kievan Rus’s political and cultural achievements, including its conversion to Christianity and the establishment of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, a major Orthodox monastery. He also discusses the factors that led to the state’s eventual decline, including internal strife, external invasions, and the rise of rival states in the region.
Chapter 3: The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
The third chapter of The Gates of Europe covers the period of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, which ruled much of present-day Ukraine from the 14th to the 18th century. Plokhy provides a detailed account of the Commonwealth’s political and cultural achievements, including its adoption of the Counter-Reformation and its role in the Protestant Reformation. He also discusses the impact of the Cossack uprisings in the 16th and 17th centuries, which challenged the Commonwealth’s authority and paved the way for Ukrainian independence.
Chapter 4: The Cossack Era
The fourth chapter of the book focuses on the Cossack era, which began in the 16th century and saw the emergence of a series of independent Ukrainian states, known as the Zaporozhian Host. Plokhy provides a detailed account of the Cossacks’ military exploits, their relationship with the Ottoman Empire and the Crimean Khanate, and their eventual incorporation into the Russian Empire in the early 18th century.
Chapter 5: The Russian Empire
The fifth chapter of The Gates of Europe covers the period of the Russian Empire, which ruled much of present-day Ukraine from the early 18th century until the Russian Revolution of 1917. Plokhy provides a detailed account of the Empire’s political and cultural achievements, including its adoption of Enlightenment ideas and its role in the Napoleonic Wars. He also discusses the impact of the Ukrainian nationalist movement, which challenged the Empire’s authority and paved the way for Ukrainian independence.
Chapter 6: The Soviet Union
The sixth chapter of the book covers the period of the Soviet Union, which ruled Ukraine from 1917 until the country’s independence in 1991. Plokhy provides a detailed account of the Soviet Union’s political and cultural achievements, including its role in World War II and its adoption of the Soviet model of economic development. He also discusses the impact of Stalin’s Great Terror and the Holomodor, the man-made famine that killed millions of Ukrainians in the 1930s.
Chapter 7: Independent Ukraine
The seventh and final chapter of The Gates of Europe covers the period of independent Ukraine, from its declaration of independence in 1991 to the present day. Plokhy provides a detailed account of the country’s ongoing struggles with corruption, poverty, and political instability, as well as its efforts to establish itself as a democratic and prosperous nation in the heart of Europe. He also discusses the impact of the 2014 Maidan protests, which led to the overthrow of the pro-Russian government and the outbreak of the ongoing conflict in the Donbas region.
Conclusion
Overall, The Gates of Europe is a comprehensive and detailed account of the history of Ukraine, from its prehistoric origins to the present day. Throughout the book, Plokhy provides a detailed analysis of the various political, social, economic, and cultural factors that have shaped Ukraine’s history, and he also offers insights into the country’s ongoing struggles with corruption, poverty, and political instability. Whether you’re a history buff or simply interested in learning more about this fascinating country, The Gates of Europe is an essential read.
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